This interview that is dedicated to the swimming audience of Serbia and
the wider region of the SE Europe was arranged on-line on November 23,
2009.......

Bolognani:
Cavic, Higl, Lendjer & Siladji, what a great poker

Just two hours before the start of the tennis match at the O2
Arena in London (Djokovic vs. Davidenko) - Grand slam London 2009, we concluded
a great interview (via direct link between London and Trento), one might
say an exclusive one for the Swim Star Web Portal. Mr.Walter
Bolognani, Head Coach of the Italian Junior team, the venerable President
of the Rari Nantes Swim Club (Italy), for many years Director of the former
famous European Swim Meet Trento (Italy), member of the coach staff of
the Italian Olympic teams at three Olympic Games, one of the chives of
the NuotopuntoIT (the most respectable European web swim portal); I have
to say also, one of our greatest friends ever. Expressing our huge gratitude
for the time he spent in the moment, let me consign him something personal
- "Walter, I still owe you so much".

On
the present achievements of the Italian Junior selection at the 2009 Invernali...

As the Italian National Championships have recently concluded in Riccione,
and the fact that you're the Head Coach of the Italian Junior team, tell
us your first impression on the present achievements of the Italian "new
swim stars"...

Bolognani: I think
we have to be satisfied about this autumn event. The best stage where to
discover new talented guys showed me that our Nation offers a “non-stop
production”. One among many, I want to indicate a girl, breaststroker,
born in 1994 and winner on 50 and 100. Moreover, in many events the juniors
(or former juniors, competing last summer at the Euro Juniors Championships
in Prague) caught medals and achieved good results competing at the same
level of the senior champions. The progression still continues and the
expectations for the future are encouraging, even if I know that the historical
success of 2009 in Prague (30 medals) has to remain something to remember
and not an habit.

Also, can you tell us something due to great results set in senior concurrence
(NR of Beni in 200 fly in 1'53"72, Gemo in 200 back, Filippi in 800 free,
Colbertaldo in 400 and 1500 free, etc.), regarding the Istanbul 2009 (Euro
SC Champs). What do you think who will be able to reach medals in Turkey?

Bolognani: 24 versus 9 are
the events where the result was better in Riccione then last year in Genova.
Less National Records, but I don’t think this has a particular meaning
(don’t forget that some of our top stars weren’t on the blocks in Riccione
such as Pellegrini, Rosolino, Facci etc.). The medals-hunt in Istanbul
is now open and certainly the name you indicated are surely among the podium
pretenders but I’ll add here and let me spend the name of Marco Orsi, who
gained gold on 50 and 100 free, the shortest sprint (50) should have him
battling for a medal. Former world champion Magnini, the Sicilian Gianluca
Maglia and EU junior champion, breaststroker Scarcella, are other names
to note. As Italian, of course I hope more, as a coach I can add the information
that Filippi, Colbertaldo and other weren’t in the best shape in Riccione.
It should mean that we can bet a coin on these names.

Bolognani: Many swimmers
didn’t have a real chance to swim during spring in short pool in a top
shape with the new high-tech bodysuits. This is the main reason of the
unbelievable (and let me add comical and funny) number of world and continental
marks swam by these guys. I want to underline that many could finalize
the training for short course events only in this part of the year. Moreover
some more money in their pocket is not a bad motivation (FINA money prize
for any world record set in a World Cup leg).

On
the swim "costumes storm" and the new WRs expectation in the future...

The FINA decision on the polyurethane costumes and the "new look" of the
swim wears starting January 1st, 2010, might hold back the new world records
for the long time. How do you see that from the aspect of sport ethics?
Is the swim costume a crucial factor for many records set so far?

Bolognani: The “original
sin” was made at the beginning of 2008 introducing the new enhancing-performance
bodysuits. The meaning of “fabric” (textile till 2007 and NON-textile from
2008 …. Don’t know in your language, but in Italian we have one word and
one meaning without misunderstand) was the greatest mistake ever made following
a show-business trend which had the only result of damaging (ethically
speaking, as you ask) the real perception of our discipline. I had many
other considerations about the fact that worldwide many newspapers had
a great chance to write a lot more about our sport, giving a great popularity
to swimming. But this has nothing to do and share with my meaning of SWIMMING.

Regarding the popularization of the swimming sport, many new competitions
in Italy, as well as in Europe have appeared in last two years. Do you
think swimming got better media position among sports then before?

Bolognani: Yes, it can be.
However we don’t have to forget that Beijing 2008 and the Chinese Olympics
were the best engine for it, as well Phelps’ exploit, Manaudou gossip,
Kitajima’s chance to double Olympic gold on 100 and 200 breast, the opportunity
for Africa to catch it’s first gold ever.. So, all the continents had one
or many reasons to follow the swimming “saga”. Swimming is not a discipline
for a few anymore; the number of swimmers is increasing in exponential
manner. Also culture and knowledge of swimming is now spread out in our
planet, isn’t a legacy for “selected” is a common habit and automatically
it stimulate much more interest. Anyway the equation, more events = more
popularity doesn’t exist.

Bolognani: I think
that competitions are one of the best manners to complete the training
path. I get some invitations every month from abroad but it’s not that
easy to afford and plan new participation in foreign countries. However
I’m linked to Serbia for strong personal reasons and I’m looking to new
invitation from your country with interest. Hope to be able to come again
there, swimming in a great facility like Tasmajdan in Belgrade for instance.

As we have met each other for the first time at the famous Trento Euro
Meet in 1999 (in the time of terrible NATO aggression on Serbia began -
March 24, 1999), I still keep a great memory on the pool in Trento, with
more then 1,000 European swim talents from more then 30 countries, and
your fantastic host. Is there any plan for turning back to that competition?

Bolognani: Great old
times those! No plan and no idea to re-schedule the Trento meet in swimming
calendar. A decade ago, in my hometown changed suddenly and only following
political and very disputable reasons the way to manage swimming pools
and public facilities. At that time the result for me and my colleagues
was to remain unemployed. Luckily I had great chances in the following
years given by the Italian Federation and now my job is really satisfying.
I’m conscious that “never say never”, but at the moment I don’t see any
reasonable chance to re-introduce that amazing event. Politics killed competitive
swimming in Trento, that’s the fact.

Italian swimming have lost Alberto Castagnetti, legendary coach and a man
who did a huge job for the national swimming development? How do you see
the future steps with the new coach Morini up to London 2012?

Bolognani: We are still
dramatically wounded and believe me. It’s difficult to figure the next
future without Alberto. We, as member of the national staff are planning
in the best way we can. Morini and other national coaches are surely unquestioned
great trainers and persons. With the coordination of ing. Saini and prof.
Bonifazi and the support of the whole federation we are sure to follow
Alberto’s path to London 2012. The shock was and is unspeakable, but the
top swimmers have the complete confidence in the coaching staff. Step by
step, Italy will work hard and conscious of the difficulties, with a strong
will to remain one of the important swimming nations in Europe and in the
World. We will do it for all the licensed to the National Federation, for
the supporters and for Alberto.

We are sure that you are quite well aware of the situation in Serbian swimming
sport. With a few of our top swimmers and coaches you have had personal
contacts. Tell us how do you see our swimmers in London 2012 - Ivan Lendjer,
Caba Siladji, Nadja Higl, and of course Mike Cavic?

Bolognani: Let’s say:
what a great POKER! I saw all of them swimming in some different international
events and I think that they have good chances (but your country is famous
to have athletes who can find enormous motivations in the topic moments
of the season). All of them deserve a significant spot in London 2012.
Let me add Lendjer is young power and talent, a physical bomb ready to
explode. Siladji, cute and clever. About Higl …. those who thought that
Universiade at home was the top goal of her career, from now on have to
fight against her quality. Her problem is only one, she isn't an outsider
anymore, and she’ll live with it and be able to afford the pressure.
Cavic …. What can I say to a guy who swam under 50 seconds on 100 fly and
got only silver in a World Championship!! Go for the gold in London, you
deserve it and nice to know you have chosen Italy for some period of your
seasonal work with my friend Andrea Di Nino.

Bolognani: I’m proud
to have the chance to know, share emotions and real deep feelings with
Goran and Igor Rasula, who always have a particular place in my heart.
A great hug to Sergio Filipovic as well, competent coach and good friend
too. Ciao Serbia, keep in touch and thanks again.